Whoa Nelly! The most money in the EBT / SNAP is spent on soda. Frozen pizza and packaged snacks (potato chips and Cheetos) are both in the top ten. Imagine the lobbyists from Coca-Cola and Frito-Lay working on Congressional reforms.
Next, eighty percent of black women are obese. They had to invent “ food insecurity” as a term replacing hunger to justify feeding these chubbos.
As someone who grew up on baloney sandwiches on white bread for lunch and Rice Krispies with milk for breakfast, the whole school lunch and breakfast program should be junked and replaced with a much smaller program truly targeting kids in need.
In 2010, I was invited to a conference in DC by the ERS, the economic research services of the USDA. The topic was about how those with the most food insecurity in the US were also the most overweight. Many "researchers" presented their findings as to why.
During a Q&A, I proposed the idea of limiting SNAP benefits to be spent only on whole, unprocessed, and unrefined foods and not on packaged or processed foods, sodas, etc. The speaker, some guy who worked for a senator, said "don't you think that people have a right to spend their money on what they want?" And my reply was "But it's not their money..."
I was very, very popular at that conference. I'm sure ;)
Because it is not about feeding hungry kids and adults. It is an entitlement that cannot be taken away. The programs also subsidize the soda and chip companies. Should be only for raw foods - milk, cheese, meat, chicken rice, beans, potatoes.
Whoa, cool yer jets Working Rich, I don’t think you know what you’re asking: COOKING! Instead of ripping open a bag of yummy chips, taking the wrapper off a Big Mac (or four), and the like you want 42M people to plan ahead and make a pb&j, peal a potato, brown some hamburger? What kind of monster ARE you? Well, the saving grace may be the ubiquitous frozen pizza: at least they know how to turn on the oven and not burn down their tenement.
Milk, cheese, rice, beans, potatoes - that's what it was to begin with. In the 1970's Texas quit giving "commodities" & went to food stamps. I remember the older people I was around saying it would lead to fraud. Then just a few years later, foodstamps had to be replaced with a card that worked like a credit card because using the stamps was humiliating to the people using them. smh
The goal is not to get people back on their feet or Feed Hungry Children (TM). The goal is to make as many people dependent on the Government as possible so they will vote for those who give them the most.
The worst part of the “free lunches” in school is that they are still low quality/low nutrition meals. Since it is “free” there seems to be no complaints. If it were means tested and had a pay model users would demand higher quality. Additives and artificial colors should be banned. We need to reform these programs tremendously the waste and lax standards are appalling.
Really great point. Poor nutrition and expensive to produce. I worked for a public school as a crossing guard. I had a crazy split shift and was paid close to nothing and the job was dangerous and unhealthy. As I was leaving I found out that the cafeteria employees were making a whole lot more and just had to stand there spooning grey food onto melamine trays.
What are the 'administration' fees in these programs and how many NGOs are involved. How much of the food is being thrown out in schools on 'surprise' meat day. 38 Trillion in the hole and Congress can't even pass a budget on time, let alone balancing a budget. This will not end well. Waiting for the Tea Party to make a come back with populist on both sides joining forces. There is no such thing as a 'free' lunch. Thanks Sharyl.
MN has to be at the top with free breakfast and lunch, regardless of income. Don’t forget the largest COVID fraud case, to date, was run through the MN dept of Ed. https://education.mn.gov/MDE/dse/FNS/SNP/free/
Everyone I know has a story of someone they personally know who is defrauding or abusing the system. I realize that is just anecdotal but at some point, the evidence becomes overwhelming that the program needs to be completely overhauled!
Every kid should get free lunch if any do Rich kids parents pay the taxes for the lunch.
My kids didn't want the school lunch so I packed a sack lunch. As a single parent male I did not have extra time but I had time to feed my kids. Anytime they wanted the school lunch they could trade a sack for a cafeteria lunch. Even a mystery sack.
I wish those with the overflowing carts of junk and pricy food would have their food-stamp debit cards rejected. Let's see what they'd really buy and eat if they had to pay for it.
You didn't mention that public schools have a tremendous incentive to "recruit" families to sign up for free or reduced lunch. The more participants, the more extra federal education dollars the school district gets for the "burden" of having poor kids, who obviously require more money to teach because in the eyes of the federal DOE the poor are obviously stupid (that's sarcasm).
Why do people who can’t provide for their children keep breeding? I get just as irritated with people who adopt dogs and then can’t afford their care when they have big vet bills. Children and pets are not there for your amusement. Be responsible! If you can’t afford either, don’t have them.
Parent’s situation can change through no fault of their own. Recessions, layoffs, health problems, divorce, husband or wife’s addiction… if only people who were generationally financially secure should be parents , upward of 90% probably wouldn’t be “entitled “ to have children.
True and for those rare cases we need a safety net. But far too many reproduce or buy pets without thinking the costs through. I blame our education system for no longer teaching life skills. And lazy parents too.
There are many places in the world where money is not the primary currency of the poor. Family is the basic unit of love and fidelity. A criticism complementary (or in commentary to) yours: why when Americans are in trouble, do they try to buy their way out of their problems? Why, in times of trouble, do they call professionals instead of friends? Why, in American culture, when a woman becomes pregnant, so many wonder whether she wants to keep it? What is wealth? What is family? What does a family need?
Regarding the people as livestock model that you raised and the quick comparison to dogs. How many people can pay for their healthcare? Last I saw, a doctor visit costs upwards of $2-300. I just spoke with the vet regarding my actual legitimate livestock. It will be $225 plus any treatment, for one large animal. Some people stay away from the doctors, and try to maintain a healthy lifestyle. That is even cheaper, potentially.
Personally, I just don't feel right to even talk about people as animals, nor use money as their measure. It feels disgusting, so I just won't. I didn't like the comment.
If I were going to look for value and rephrase, I'd maybe try: Why do people walk their life's journey forward without preparing for what will likely come? And: "why don't people think first?!"
I stand by my comment. If you can’t afford them do not have them. I know many who feel this but I get blasted for saying it. And I don’t care. It’s how I survived the Covid psyop. I’ve never cared who I offend with my opinions.
If you don't care about offending, then you can probably civilly understand that I firmly disagree with you. I don't mind disagreeing with you on this, as long as you are not in a position of leverage or authority that affects me on this matter. As long as you are not in said position, I feel quite happy to disagree with you. We are likely of mutually little importance to each other's lives.
Good article, and surely there are problems. But I hit a point where the math doesn’t add up. "there were an estimated 640,000–720,000 of the roughly 800,000 undocumented K-12 students receiving free or reduced-price school meals at U.S. taxpayer expense. That is roughly one third of the 21.1 million total participants in 2023–2024.” One third of 21.1 million is roughly 7 million. That does not equal 640,000-720,000 or 800,000. What am I missing? I like these articles but the math should be self evident.
The American tax payer: the most looted people in all of human history. It is not necessarily taxes that is bad. It is the fact that like leeches people latch on the gravy train without contributing and then bad mouth those that pay for their sugar laden food. Unless attitudes change America will just be another country that falls into a socialist nightmare.
Could it be the case that Democrats fight to keep these programs bloated as a way of buying votes with other peoples’ money?
Asking for a friend.
A friend says, "You are 1000% correct John!"
💪
Booyah! "Johnny, tell him what he's won!"
Whoa Nelly! The most money in the EBT / SNAP is spent on soda. Frozen pizza and packaged snacks (potato chips and Cheetos) are both in the top ten. Imagine the lobbyists from Coca-Cola and Frito-Lay working on Congressional reforms.
Next, eighty percent of black women are obese. They had to invent “ food insecurity” as a term replacing hunger to justify feeding these chubbos.
As someone who grew up on baloney sandwiches on white bread for lunch and Rice Krispies with milk for breakfast, the whole school lunch and breakfast program should be junked and replaced with a much smaller program truly targeting kids in need.
In 2010, I was invited to a conference in DC by the ERS, the economic research services of the USDA. The topic was about how those with the most food insecurity in the US were also the most overweight. Many "researchers" presented their findings as to why.
During a Q&A, I proposed the idea of limiting SNAP benefits to be spent only on whole, unprocessed, and unrefined foods and not on packaged or processed foods, sodas, etc. The speaker, some guy who worked for a senator, said "don't you think that people have a right to spend their money on what they want?" And my reply was "But it's not their money..."
I was very, very popular at that conference. I'm sure ;)
Because it is not about feeding hungry kids and adults. It is an entitlement that cannot be taken away. The programs also subsidize the soda and chip companies. Should be only for raw foods - milk, cheese, meat, chicken rice, beans, potatoes.
Whoa, cool yer jets Working Rich, I don’t think you know what you’re asking: COOKING! Instead of ripping open a bag of yummy chips, taking the wrapper off a Big Mac (or four), and the like you want 42M people to plan ahead and make a pb&j, peal a potato, brown some hamburger? What kind of monster ARE you? Well, the saving grace may be the ubiquitous frozen pizza: at least they know how to turn on the oven and not burn down their tenement.
Well, that was my argument...and here we are, 15 years later. Nothing has changed and it only got worse.
Milk, cheese, rice, beans, potatoes - that's what it was to begin with. In the 1970's Texas quit giving "commodities" & went to food stamps. I remember the older people I was around saying it would lead to fraud. Then just a few years later, foodstamps had to be replaced with a card that worked like a credit card because using the stamps was humiliating to the people using them. smh
It’s a handout for entitled people
The goal is not to get people back on their feet or Feed Hungry Children (TM). The goal is to make as many people dependent on the Government as possible so they will vote for those who give them the most.
The worst part of the “free lunches” in school is that they are still low quality/low nutrition meals. Since it is “free” there seems to be no complaints. If it were means tested and had a pay model users would demand higher quality. Additives and artificial colors should be banned. We need to reform these programs tremendously the waste and lax standards are appalling.
Really great point. Poor nutrition and expensive to produce. I worked for a public school as a crossing guard. I had a crazy split shift and was paid close to nothing and the job was dangerous and unhealthy. As I was leaving I found out that the cafeteria employees were making a whole lot more and just had to stand there spooning grey food onto melamine trays.
Wow I never expected that. Crossing guards guards are definitely under appreciated and underpaid.
Too bad the next governor of Maine removed that requirement so now we are right back up there.
If the median income of a certain city is at a particular level, EVERY student gets a free lunch regardless of the household income. It's ridiculous.
Yes, it is ridiculous.
What are the 'administration' fees in these programs and how many NGOs are involved. How much of the food is being thrown out in schools on 'surprise' meat day. 38 Trillion in the hole and Congress can't even pass a budget on time, let alone balancing a budget. This will not end well. Waiting for the Tea Party to make a come back with populist on both sides joining forces. There is no such thing as a 'free' lunch. Thanks Sharyl.
MN has to be at the top with free breakfast and lunch, regardless of income. Don’t forget the largest COVID fraud case, to date, was run through the MN dept of Ed. https://education.mn.gov/MDE/dse/FNS/SNP/free/
Everyone I know has a story of someone they personally know who is defrauding or abusing the system. I realize that is just anecdotal but at some point, the evidence becomes overwhelming that the program needs to be completely overhauled!
Every kid should get free lunch if any do Rich kids parents pay the taxes for the lunch.
My kids didn't want the school lunch so I packed a sack lunch. As a single parent male I did not have extra time but I had time to feed my kids. Anytime they wanted the school lunch they could trade a sack for a cafeteria lunch. Even a mystery sack.
"""In our wealthy nation, nearly 42 million people rely on “food stamps.”"""
False. 42 million RECEIVE food stamps. Many who receive do not rely on them.
Rely on Food Stamps to buy junk food.
If you go on the Walmart website you can see how much junk food is snap approved.
I wish those with the overflowing carts of junk and pricy food would have their food-stamp debit cards rejected. Let's see what they'd really buy and eat if they had to pay for it.
You didn't mention that public schools have a tremendous incentive to "recruit" families to sign up for free or reduced lunch. The more participants, the more extra federal education dollars the school district gets for the "burden" of having poor kids, who obviously require more money to teach because in the eyes of the federal DOE the poor are obviously stupid (that's sarcasm).
Why do people who can’t provide for their children keep breeding? I get just as irritated with people who adopt dogs and then can’t afford their care when they have big vet bills. Children and pets are not there for your amusement. Be responsible! If you can’t afford either, don’t have them.
Parent’s situation can change through no fault of their own. Recessions, layoffs, health problems, divorce, husband or wife’s addiction… if only people who were generationally financially secure should be parents , upward of 90% probably wouldn’t be “entitled “ to have children.
True and for those rare cases we need a safety net. But far too many reproduce or buy pets without thinking the costs through. I blame our education system for no longer teaching life skills. And lazy parents too.
Breeding? For whom are people livestock?
There are many places in the world where money is not the primary currency of the poor. Family is the basic unit of love and fidelity. A criticism complementary (or in commentary to) yours: why when Americans are in trouble, do they try to buy their way out of their problems? Why, in times of trouble, do they call professionals instead of friends? Why, in American culture, when a woman becomes pregnant, so many wonder whether she wants to keep it? What is wealth? What is family? What does a family need?
Regarding the people as livestock model that you raised and the quick comparison to dogs. How many people can pay for their healthcare? Last I saw, a doctor visit costs upwards of $2-300. I just spoke with the vet regarding my actual legitimate livestock. It will be $225 plus any treatment, for one large animal. Some people stay away from the doctors, and try to maintain a healthy lifestyle. That is even cheaper, potentially.
Personally, I just don't feel right to even talk about people as animals, nor use money as their measure. It feels disgusting, so I just won't. I didn't like the comment.
If I were going to look for value and rephrase, I'd maybe try: Why do people walk their life's journey forward without preparing for what will likely come? And: "why don't people think first?!"
I stand by my comment. If you can’t afford them do not have them. I know many who feel this but I get blasted for saying it. And I don’t care. It’s how I survived the Covid psyop. I’ve never cared who I offend with my opinions.
If you don't care about offending, then you can probably civilly understand that I firmly disagree with you. I don't mind disagreeing with you on this, as long as you are not in a position of leverage or authority that affects me on this matter. As long as you are not in said position, I feel quite happy to disagree with you. We are likely of mutually little importance to each other's lives.
It is discouraging to go on the Walmart site and see all the junk food , individual servings that are SNAP approved
Walmart notes if each item is available on SNAP
There are literally hundreds of examples
https://www.walmart.com/search?q=candy&typeahead=c
( a sample of the junk that DOES qualify for SNAP)
Good article, and surely there are problems. But I hit a point where the math doesn’t add up. "there were an estimated 640,000–720,000 of the roughly 800,000 undocumented K-12 students receiving free or reduced-price school meals at U.S. taxpayer expense. That is roughly one third of the 21.1 million total participants in 2023–2024.” One third of 21.1 million is roughly 7 million. That does not equal 640,000-720,000 or 800,000. What am I missing? I like these articles but the math should be self evident.
The American tax payer: the most looted people in all of human history. It is not necessarily taxes that is bad. It is the fact that like leeches people latch on the gravy train without contributing and then bad mouth those that pay for their sugar laden food. Unless attitudes change America will just be another country that falls into a socialist nightmare.